Banquet Chair with Top Cap

ABSTRACT

A chair comprises a frame having legs, and a pair of uprights extending above the legs. A seat is carried by the legs of the frame, and a backrest is carried by the pair of uprights. A top bar is coupled between tops of the pair of uprights and extends above the backrest. A top cap is disposed on the top bar and covers an uppermost surface and uppermost perimeter edge of the top bar.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to banquet chairs.

Related Art

Banquet chairs typically have fabric covered cushions, and are capable of stacking. In addition, numerous banquet chairs can be provided in order to file large convention and/or banquet spaces. Such banquet chairs can be stored and handled in numerous stacks that can be roughly handled, and/or inadvertently impacted during handling. If a stack of banquet chairs is toppled, at least the upper chair can impact the ground, causing damage to at least the upper chair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a chair or banquet chair with improved durability or resistance to damage when a stack of chairs is toppled.

The invention provides a chair comprising a frame having legs and, a pair of uprights extending above the legs. A seat is carried by the legs of the frame, and a backrest is carried by the pair of uprights. A top bar is coupled between tops of the pair of uprights and extends above the backrest. A top cap is disposed on the top bar and covers an uppermost surface and uppermost perimeter edge of the top her.

In addition, the invention provides a chair comprising a frame having legs and a pair of uprights extending above the legs. A seat carried by the legs of the frame, and a backrest carried by the pair of uprights. A top bar is coupled between tops of the pair of uprights and extends above the backrest. The top bar comprises a channel with an open top and a closed bottom. A top cap is disposed on the top bar and covers the open top of the channel of the top bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a banquet chair in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1c is an exploded perspective view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2a is a partial perspective view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2b is a partial exploded perspective view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2c is a partial exploded perspective view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a:

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a top cap of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the top cap of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 16 is a front view of the top cap of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the top cap of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the top cap of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the top cap of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 20 is an exploded front view of the top cap and the top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view showing the bottom of the top cap and a top of he top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a; and

FIG. 22 is an exploded side view of the top cap and the top bar of the banquet chair of FIG. 1 a.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S)

The present invention presents a chair with a top cap disposed at an uppermost surface or edge of a frame of a chair to resist damage to the frame of the chair. Such chairs can be stackable (e.g. fourteen chairs stacked together), and can topple when handled roughly or abruptly, or when bumped. Thus, the stack of chairs can fall or tip over, with a top of the uppermost chair striking the ground or floor, and damaging the frame. Thus, the top cap can cover the frame at the uppermost surface or edge to cushion and/or absorb the impact. The frame can be formed of metal while the top cap can be formed of plastic. In addition, the top cap can snap fit onto a top bar of the frame, and can be removably attached to the top bar of the frame, so that the top cap can be removed and replaced if damaged. In addition, a top bar of the frame can be cast and can comprise a channel with an open top and a closed bottom.

The top bar can form a handle for the chair, and the closed bottom can provide a smooth surface to grasp and lift the chair. The top cap can close the open top of the top bar. Furthermore, the top cap can provide a visible surface that can be provided with a desired indicia (e.g. a logo or business name of the establishment or location of the chair) to customize the entire chair. The indicia can be oriented to face or read rearwardly so that a user seated in a back row can read or ascertain the indicia on the top caps of the chair in a forward row.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-22, a chair, indicated generally at 10, in an example implementation in accordance with the invention is shown with a top cap 12 to resist damage to the chair or frame thereof if a stack of chairs topples. The top cap 12 can be formed of plastic and can be formed by injection molding. Thus, the top cap can be formed, of a material that is softer than a material of the frame, which can be formed of metal. The top cap can have indicia molded into an upper surface thereof (and/or rear facing surface and/or forward facing surface).

The chair 10 has a seat 14 and a backrest 18 carried by a plurality of legs 22 and a pair of uprights 24, or a frame 26 comprising the legs 22 and the pair of uprights 24. The legs 22 and/or the frame 26 comprises a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs (or a pair of left side legs and a pair or right side legs). Each of the pair of side legs can be formed of a single member bent into an inverted U-shape. The legs are spaced apart from one another, and are inclined with respect to vertical so that spacing between the legs is wider at bottoms thereof and narrower at tops thereof to facilitate stacking. The tops of the legs can be connected together with lateral members extending between the front and rear legs, and disposed generally at lateral sides of the chair or seat, and spars (front spar 29 and rear spar 28) extending between opposite lateral sides of the chair, and disposed general at the front and rear of the chair or seat. Thus, the framework can have the rear spar 28 extending between the lateral sides at a rear of the seat 14. The members interconnecting the tops of the legs, e.g. the lateral members and spars, can define a framework 30 disposed at a top of the legs to receive and carry the seat 14. The framework can form a seat hoop with an opening therein. Thus, the framework 30 can be oriented substantially horizontal (i.e. horizontal or with a slight incline with respect to horizontal for comfort and natural seating position). The legs 22, the frame 26 and/or the framework 30 can be formed of metal tubes bent to shape and welded together. For example, the legs can be formed of a pair of lateral leg assemblies joined together to form the frame. The lateral leg assembly can be formed by a single tube bent to form a front leg and a rear leg with an intermediate portion interconnecting the front and rear legs and forming the lateral member. Front and rear spars can interconnect the lateral leg assemblies. The pair of uprights 24 extend above the legs 22, and can be attached to the framework 30. The pair of uprights 24 can be oriented substantially vertically (i.e. vertical or with a slight incline with respect to vertical for comfort and natural seating position). The pair of uprights can be formed of metal tubes bent to shape and welded to the framework. The pair of uprights can have open upper ends 32 (FIG. 2c ).

The seat 14 can comprise a seal base 34 disposed over or on the framework 34. The seat base can be formed of plastic and can be formed by injection molding. The seat base can include integral compliant structure, such as bellows or concentric corrugation, to form flexible and resilient structure to deflect under weight for comfort. A perimeter flange can surround the compliant structure, and can be disposed on the framework with the compliant structure pendent or suspended therefrom and disposed in between the framework. The seat can also comprise a cushion 38, such as foam, carried by and disposed over the seat base 34, and a cover 42, such as fabric, surrounding the cushion and a perimeter of the seat base. The seat 14 can have a reverse hour-glass shape (i.e. a wider intermediate portion and narrower front and rear portions to accommodate legs of an adjacent stacked chair, and facilitate stacking. Thus, the corners of the seats are retracted with respect to front, back and lateral side perimeters of the seat to resist contact with legs of an adjacent stacked chair during stacking, to preserve the finish and appearance of the cover of the seat. In addition. the seat base 34 can have a flexible and resilient corrugated interior capable of deflecting under weight and returning when the weight s removed. Thus, the structure of the seat base, although rigid, can be configured with ridges and channels to physically deflect under weight. Various aspects of the corrugated interior of the seat base are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,617, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Thee seat base can provide support for the cushion over the opening in the framework or seat hoop. The cushion and the corrugated interior can together provide a comfortable, cushioned, support for the user to sit on.

The backrest 18 can be carried by the pair of uprights 24. The backrest 18 can comprise at least one backrest panel, such as a backing formed by a pair of panels, namely front and rear panels 46 and 48. The front and rear panels 46 and 48 can be formed of plastic, and can be formed by injection molding. The backrest 18 can also comprise a cushion 52, such as foam, carried by and disposed over the front panel 46, and a cover 56, such as fabric, surrounding the cushion and a perimeter of the front panels. Similarly, the rear panel 48 can be covered by a cover, such as fabric. The front and rear panels 46 and 48 can be secured together with the uprights 24, or a portion thereof, sandwiched between the panels. Thus, the uprights can close a gap between the panels on the lateral sides of the gaps. Support members, such as upper and lower spars and/or inclined spars, can extend between the uprights and between the panels.

The chair 10 and/or the frame 26 comprises a top bar 60 coupled between tops of the pair of uprights 24. The top bar 60 has projections 64 extending into the open upper ends 32 of the pair of uprights 24. The top bar 60 extends above the backrest 18 and/or the backrest panels 46 and/or 48. In addition, the top bar 60 can be disposed above the backrest 18 and or the backrest panels 46 and/or 48 with a gap 68 formed between the backrest 18 and the top bar 60. Thus, the top bar 60 can form a handle to the chair and the gap can accommodate the fingers of a user's or lifter's hand. The top bar 60 can comprise a channel 72 with an open top 76 and a closed bottom 80. The closed bottom 80 of the channel or top bar 60 can provide a substantially solid surface to bear against the user's or lifter's fingers. The top bar 60 can be formed of metal and can be formed by casting. The top bar 60 and the pair of uprights 24 can form a backrest frame 84 to carry the backrest 18 and/or the backrest panels. The backrest frame 84 can have perimeter sides and a top that are exposed beyond the backrest and/or backrest panels. The top bar 60 can also have an uppermost surface 88 and an uppermost perimeter edge 92. The top, or uppermost surface and uppermost perimeter edge, of the top bar 60 can be arcuate, and can have a convex profile facing upwardly. The top bar 60 itself can be arcuate and can form a bow.

The top cap 12 is disposed on and coupled to the top bar 60. The top cap can snap fit to the top bar, and can be removably coupled to the top bar so that it can be removed and replaced. The top cap 12 can cover the open top 76 of the channel 72 of the top bar. In addition, the top cap 12 can cover the uppermost surface 88 and the uppermost perimeter edge 92 of the top bar. In one aspect, the top cap 12 can extend an entire width of the top bar 60, and an entire width between an outermost widths of the pair of uprights 24. Thus, the top cap can protect an entire top of the chafe. The top cap 12 can be formed of a different material (and a softer material) than the top bar 60. For example, the top cap 12 can be formed of plastic and can be formed by injection molding. Thus, the top cap can better absorb impact. The top cap 12 has a bottom with a concave profile facing downwardly and towards the top bar, and matching the convex profile of the top of the top bar. The top cap 12 itself can be arcuate and can form a bow. Thus, the top bar 60 and the top cap 12 can form a pair of bows, with a portion of the top bar nesting within a portion of the top cap. The top bar 60 can have a protruding portion (extending beyond the step 96 described below), that is received in a cavity or channel of the top cap 12.

In one aspect, the top bar 60 can have a perimeter step 96 formed therein and extending around substantially the entire perimeter of the top bar. The step 96 can be formed in at least the front and rear surfaces of the top bar. The top cap 12 has vertical walls 100 (i.e. vertical or with a slight incline with respect to vertical) that arc disposed on the perimeter step 96 of the top bar 60. Thus, the vertical walls 100 of the top cap can rest on or bear against the step 96. In addition, a perimeter surface of the top bar 60 (such as exposed front and rear surfaces), and a perimeter surface of the top cap 12 (such as front and rear surfaces, can be substantially flush or parallel.

In another aspect, the opposite sides of the top bar 60 can each have a pair of opposite channels 104 oriented vertically (i.e. vertical or with a slight incline with respect to vertical). The opposite sides of the top cap 12 can each have a pair of opposing tabs 108 oriented vertically (i.e. vertical or with a slight incline with respect to vertical) and received in the pair of opposite channels of the top bar. The tabs retained in the channels can resist the ends of the top cap from separating from the top bar.

As described above, the top cap 12 can be removably coupled to the top bar 60, such as with a snap fit. The top cap 12 can comprise an array of hooks 112 extending therefrom and engaging the top bar or the channel thereof. The channel of the top bar can have cross-members or spars extending across the channel with apertures engageable by the hooks of the top cap.

The ends of the top cap 12 can also be flush with the pair of uprights to avoid snagging or injury.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below. 

1. A chair device, comprising: a) a frame having legs and a pair of uprights extending above the legs; b) a seat carried by the legs of the frame; c) a backrest carried by the pair of uprights; d) a top bar coupled between tops of the pair of uprights and extending above the backrest; and e) atop cap disposed on the top bar and covering an uppermost surface and uppermost perimeter edge of the top bar.
 2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top cap extends an entire width of the top bar, and an entire width between an outermost widths of the pair of uprights.
 3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a top of the top bar is arcuate and has a convex profile facing upwardly; and wherein the top cap has a bottom with a concave profile facing downwardly.
 4. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top bar and the top cap form a pair of bows, with a portion of the top bar nesting within a portion of the top cap.
 5. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top bar has a perimeter step formed therein and extending around substantially the entire perimeter of the top bar; and wherein the top cap has vertical walls disposed on the perimeter step of the top bar, with a perimeter surface of the top bar and a perimeter surface of the top cap being substantially flush or parallel.
 6. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein opposite sides of the top bar each has a pair of opposite channels oriented vertically; and wherein opposite sides of the top cap each has a pair of opposing tabs oriented vertically and received in the pair of opposite channels of the top bar.
 7. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top bar and the top cap are formed or different materials with the top cap being softer than the top bar.
 8. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top bar comprises a channel with an open top and a closed bottom; and wherein the top cap covers the open top of the channel of the top bar.
 9. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top bar and the pair of uprights form a backrest frame; wherein the backrest comprises at least one backrest panel carried by the backrest frame; and wherein the backrest frame has a perimeter sides and top exposed beyond the at least one backrest panel.
 10. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pair of uprights have open upper ends; and wherein the top bar has projections extending into the open upper ends.
 11. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top bar is disposed above the backrest with a gap formed between the backrest and the top bar.
 12. A chair device, comprising: a) a frame having legs and a pair of uprights extending above the legs; b) a seat carried by the legs of the frame; c) a backrest carried by the pair of uprights; d) a top bar coupled between tops of the pair of uprights and extending above the backrest; e) the top bar comprising a channel with an open top and a closed bottom; and f) a top cap disposed on the top bar and covering the open top of the channel of the top bar.
 13. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the top bar is disposed above the backrest with a gap formed between the backrest and the top bar.
 14. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the top cap is disposed on the top bar and covers an uppermost surface and uppermost perimeter edge of the top bar.
 15. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the top cap extends an entire width of the top bar, and an entire width between an outermost widths of the pair of uprights.
 16. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein a top of the top bar is arcuate and has a convex profile facing upwardly; and wherein the top cap has a bottom with a concave profile facing downwardly.
 17. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the top bar and the top cap form a pair of bows, with a portion of the top bar nesting within a portion of the top cap.
 18. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the top bar has a perimeter step formed therein and extending around substantially the entire perimeter of the top bar, and wherein the top cap has vertical walls disposed on the perimeter step of the top bar, with a perimeter surface of the top bar and a perimeter surface of the top cap being substantially flush or parallel.
 19. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein opposite sides of the top bar each has a pair of opposite channels oriented vertically; and wherein opposite sides of the top cap each has a pair of opposing tabs oriented vertically and received in the pair of opposite channels of the top bar.
 20. A chair device, comprising: a) a frame having legs and a pair of uprights extending above the legs and the pair of uprights having open upper ends; b) a seat carried by the legs of the frame; c) a backrest comprising at least one backrest panel carried by the pair of uprights; d) a top bar coupled between tops of the pair of uprights and extending above the backrest, the top bar having projections extending into the open upper ends, the top bar being disposed above the backrest with a gap formed between the backrest and the top bar; e) the top bar comprising a channel with an open top and a closed bottom; f) the top bar and the pair of uprights forming a backrest frame with perimeter sides and a top exposed beyond the at least one backrest panel; and g) a top cap disposed on the top bar and covering the open top of the channel of the top bar. 